Got headlights that are too bright? Or do you just want to add to the aesthetics of your vehicle? Either way, smoked headlights allow you to play around with your vehicle’s headlights’ appearance and brightness. But are they feasible for you? In this article, we will be proceeding to explain what smoked headlights are, their advantages and disadvantages, their legality, and also recommend some popular ones for your vehicle.
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What are Smoked Headlamps?
Smoked headlights, also called tinted headlights, are aftermarket car accessories that have slight differences in features and function compared to their stock counterparts. They have darker lenses that remind many people of smoke, which is where they get their name from. These tinted lenses are translucent and absorb some of the light produced by the light bulbs, therefore reducing the headlights’ brightness.
What are the Types of Smoked Headlights?
There are many different features available in the smoked headlights available.
- Reflector vs. Projector Headlights
- Halo Headlights
- LED DRL Bar
- Switchback and Sequential Headlights
Why Get Smoked Headlights?
Like any accessory, smoked headlights have their pros and cons. It’s a good idea to judge the benefits and drawbacks of getting a smoked headlight before making the purchase.
Advantages of Smoked Headlights
Let’s talk about the advantages offered by smoked headlights:
- Aesthetic Appeal
The distinct color tone sets them apart from the conventional headlights most people use, helping your ride stand out among other vehicles.
- Optional Design Elements
Smoked headlights come in a variety of light-smoked, dark-smoked, LED accents, halo rings, and LED strips that can add even more uniqueness to the look of your automobile.
- Reduced Glare
Smoked headlights decrease the risk of glare by reducing the light coming through the lens.
Disadvantages of Smoked Headlights
The disadvantages of smoked headlights include:
- Insufficient Brightness
Smoked lenses make the light dimmer than conventional headlights.
- Street Legality
Depending on the state you reside in, your smoked headlights might not meet the local legal standards. Each state has its own visible light transmission (VLT) laws that are applicable to headlights just as they do to tinted windows.
What To Consider When Making a Purchase
If you are shopping for aftermarket headlights for your automobile, any product that looks good to you may seem to be a good option, and you will probably end up purchasing the least expensive option. However, we will help you make a smart purchase by considering certain important factors to make sure you are getting a quality product.
- See what the warranty is.
A good product will almost always be backed up with a reasonable warranty. So it’s important to ensure the product you are considering has at least six months of warranty. Check the product description thoroughly for this information before placing an order.
- Who will do the installation for you?
If you plan to install your new headlights by yourself, make sure you have all the necessary tools at hand. To do that, check out the online installation instructions for the headlights on your vehicle and see what’s needed. If you intend to get help for installing the car part, consider labor costs while making your purchase.
- Check the tint laws in your state.
There is no federal law regarding this. However, as weather conditions differ from state to state, some states have no problems if you have tinted headlights, while others may have strict rules surrounding them. Therefore, it is important you find out the laws in your state before you purchase something you may get a ticket for.
- Buy new headlight bulbs right away.
From our experience in the industry, we can say that 90% of headlights available in the aftermarket come with cheap headlight bulbs or with none at all. This is why it is a great idea to get quality replacement bulbs right away if you think your current stock bulbs may not be bright enough for your new smoked lens. Consider the brands of Osram or Philips, and you should be happy with the brightness and light output that they provide. Note that bulb sizes for the aftermarket headlights may differ from the stock ones, so the bulbs that you have in your current headlights may not fit into the new aftermarket assembly. Check the product description or get in touch with the manufacturer to find out the bulb size your new headlights will need.
- Consider the type of your stock headlights.
If your vehicle comes with HID headlights installed from the factory, make sure the headlights you are purchasing will work with your stock HIDs. This is because the length of HID bulbs differs from the length of halogen bulbs, so if you pick the wrong lights, the bulb will just not fit and focus properly. Make sure to check fitment notes for the new headlights to find out this information.
Top Smoked Headlights Recommendations
Compatible With:
- Ford 04-08 F-150
- Ford 06-08 Mark LT
This package includes one pair of headlights (Driver and Passenger Side) that can be installed easily using direct bolt-on OE fitment or replacement for the stock unit; it requires no technical modification or drilling.
These headlamps bring a different appearance to your vehicle, great for show use or to replace old and worn headlights. Ensuring safe driving in the bad weather, such as on rainy, muddy, or snowy days, while also making sure your family and you stay safe when driving at night.
They are quite popular on Amazon and have managed to gather an amazing 4.4 stars rating on the online store. You can, therefore, rest assured that you will definitely be satisfied with the build quality and appearance once you get them. Additionally, with a reasonable mid-range price tag, you get amazing value for your money.
This headlights assembly is compatible with:
- Ford F-250
- Ford F-350
- Ford F-450
- Ford F-550 Super Duty 2011-2016 (fits models with halogen headlights Only)
These halogen headlights are made of high-quality sealed ABS plastic and durable polycarbonate material. This ensures excellent resistance to impact and water while guaranteeing a long-lasting life in all conditions.
This headlight setup utilizes a halogen bulb for added aesthetics. There are also a number of options available when it comes to colors. You can choose between clear, smoked, and black lenses and pair them with black, amber, or chrome reflectors.
While these headlights are indeed a bit on the costlier side, they make up for it with their durable build, which has helped it rack an average customer rating of 4.3 on Amazon.
However, do keep in mind that these headlights do not come with bulbs and you may need to purchase brighter aftermarket bulbs to get the most out of these.
These headlights provide the best value upgrade for any vehicle with 5×7 inch ( also known as 7×6 ) Square Headlights. These include 86-95 Jeep Wrangler YJ, 79-01 Cherokee XJ, Ford E-series F-series, C4 Corvette, GMC Savana, and Dodge.
The especially designed “Z-shaped” cut-off line is better than other led headlights in the market, providing super bright and uniform lighting with no blind area or dim spots while also ensuring you never blind oncoming drivers.
These LED headlights use the latest high-quality OSRAM chips with a unique anti-aging circuit. Along with a more effective heat dissipation design, these features ensure the illuminance will not attenuate, keeping it as bright as new after years of use.
They are also IP67 certified, meaning you can take your vehicle around in the rain, snow, fog, and extreme dust without any worries of condensation or malfunctioning. The cherry on top is that you can get these amazing headlights on Amazon for a modest price of under $100. The quality on this can truly not be beaten for the price.
These headlights can be fitted on:
- 09-10 Ram 1500
- 2010 Ram 2500
- 2010 Ram 3500
- 10-18 Ram 1500
- 10-18 Ram 2500
- 10-18 Ram 3500
- 10-18 Ram 4500
- 10-18 Ram 5500
Does NOT Fit Old Body Style Models / Will Not Fit to Models with Factory Projector LED Style Headlights
Customers have found installing and adjusting these headlights on their own quite confusing as they do not come with an instruction manual. However, some Google searches should help most people manage to install these. On the other hand, we would recommend getting professional help if you have no prior experience with the mechanics of your pickup.
These headlights are well priced when compared to comparable ones by other manufacturers. Therefore, we recommend getting them if you’re looking for smoked headlamps for your Ram.
These LED headlights are compatible with:
- 03-06 Avalanche 1500
- 03-06 Avalanche 2500
- 03-06 Silverado 1500
- 03-06 Silverado 1500 HD
- 03-06 Silverado 2500 HD
- 03-06 Silverado 3500
- 03-04 Silverado 2500
- 07 Silverado 2500 HD Classic / Fit Models without Factory Cladding ONLY
It comes with a complete set of headlight kits, including headlamp and bumper lights with Plug-N-Play operation, with no need for modification or drilling.
These headlights have managed to collect a whopping 2,300+ reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars on Amazon, leaving no doubt that they are well-liked by the people who bought them.
Additionally, the smoked lens isn’t extremely dark as to significantly reduce the light the lamps put out, which is why it is a good option if you’re purchasing smoked headlights for the first time as they aren’t extremely dark.
This is a 100% brand new pair of headlights replacement in polished chrome housing with gunmetal smoke lens.
Compatible With:
- 07-13 Chevy Avalanche All Model
- 07-14 Chevy Suburban All Model
- 07-14 Chevy Tahoe All Model
- 08-14 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid Model Only
These headlights by Akkon have an amazing average rating of 4.6 stars from 1200+ reviews on Amazon. This just goes to show how well built, easy to fit, and cost-effective they are, all the while taking the looks of your Chevy to the next level.
Conclusion
Your safety, especially at night or when the road isn’t clear, is very important while traveling. Purchasing a good headlight can become the difference between getting to your destination safely or getting into an accident.
Vehicles are built in a variety of sizes and shapes, and this means that not all smoked headlights can be used universally. This means that double-checking your car’s compatibility with any headlight you intend to purchase is important.
Hopefully, our smoked headlights list has provided you with an amazing product for easier decision-making. We wish you a fun time with your smoked headlights. Stay safe!
